Here's the enquiry result from the Roads Corporation.

Still could be the real deal (in terms of the body....). Hopefully anyone interested will check it out VERY thoroughly?

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1965 Mk1 Cooper S Sprint/Hillclimb/Rally Car
2012 Land Rover Defender 90

Tell you what, that engine number isn't quite right either.
It appears to have a few two many digits on the end of it. (the last 4 shouldn't be there)

I spoke to the guy mentioned in the listing (Tom) a few weeks ago when it was first advertised. I told him about my involvement in this forum and that I would like to add the car's details to the Cooper S register, if they weren't already there. The story is that the car has been garaged and unused for some time and the family decided it was time to sell. When they took it to be registered they couldn't find the body number stamping so VicRoads stamped a new number. I told him about the radiator shroud and he said he'd go an check. The original engine was replaced some time ago. He was going to get back to me with ADR plate information but I haven't followed up. As much as you can tell in a conversation with a stranger it all sounded legitimate to me.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

So it looks like the VP numbers don't have the year stamped in the number code anymore. V022935P

I guess the 02 would be 2002?

I would say so.
One of my previous ones for a new block was N661771P, that was issued in 1966.
Another was N681501P, issued in 1968.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

20 years ago I was sitting at the lights, cnr springy and ferntree gully in my mono tone mustard clubman (it did have contessas) and the guy next to me rolled down the window and asked me if I wanted to sell my cooper s to him! I called back "It's a Clubman" he called back "No I'm not in the club", thank the higher powers the lights went green!

COOPER S! It's good people know of the legend, I just hope it doesn't get watered down with "Original Copies"

So they just took it out of the garage to sell it and were issued a VP number - 13 years ago ???????

Tom's mobile number is in the listing. Why don't you call him and ask?

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I asked him if there are any numbers on the top radiator shroud panel ,specifically YG2S4 , but he didn't get back to me . I think its one to steer clear of

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1965 Morris 850
1966 Morris Mini Minor
1967 Morris Cooper 'S'
1977 Leyland LS

I'm keeping an open mind. There's nothing I can see in any of the pictures that is suspicious. The seller's description and some subsequent conversations is what's making people doubtful I think.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Probably if it was listed at $10,000 there would be people actually driving over to check it out in person I imagine!

At the current listed price, probably not interesting for the bargain hunters....

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Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

Tom just called me with the numbers from the ADR compliance plate. The body number on it lines up with other March 1970 cars in the Cooper S register.

It was back in 2002 when the VP number was issued, around the time he had finished changing the engine to the non-S one.

He still has the car's original number plates. VicRoads wanted an extra payment to re-use them so he just went with newly issued ones.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Good outcome. Well done and thanks for your efforts Doug.

I'm not in the market for another car, but if I was this would be well worth a look. Though I suppose I would be happier if Tom still had the original engine (even if seized or otherwise rooted) stashed away somewhere that could come with it?

Dave

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1965 Mk1 Cooper S Sprint/Hillclimb/Rally Car
2012 Land Rover Defender 90

Does anyone actually have a genuine and original Morris Cooper S... I'm guessing no!
All... other than one locked in a shed for 50 years will have a replacement component or more, so are they genuine original?
As long as people are aware of the not so original details, the engine number is different (but the engine is a correct 1275cc Cooper S) than in my eye it is still a genuine Cooper S, not original though.
Anyway that's my take on it.